Cosmic Bullsh*t: A Guide to the Galaxy's Worst Life Hacks

I liked this book!

Ferrie is a good writer and I found the topics interesting - they range from a wide variety of topics in this book, so I am sure you will find some or most of it intriguing!

I found the writing also accessible - you don't need to have a doctorate in astrophysics to understand the book!

I was actually surprised, that I didn't find it as funny as I thought it was going to be, however this is quite probably my own twisted brain and my really niche sense of comedy. I believe most people will really enjoy and find this book fun and funny!

As someone who is obviously skeptical of pseudoscience, I found this a great book!
I am happy to have been able to enjoy this book, and I think you will enjoy it too.

Check it out!

3.7/5

This was a very entertaining and informative look at the various ways in which the cosmos doesn't give a sh*t about us. Lots of interesting facts packaged in an easy to understand format and while there were a few too many jokes for me, overall I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.

"Cosmic Bullshit" is mixed.
I adore the book's science-based debunking of pseudoscience and informative nature, especially the audiobook narration. I enjoyed the blend of history and science.

However, the humor is overdone, the writing is redundant, and the author's opinions are too smug.

It is accessible and thought-provoking, but the jokes usually missed the mark.

WHO IS THIS BOOK FOR?
It's unclear.
If you're like me, a science lover, you'll already know and agree with most of his points.
I was disappointed with the depth.

If you're a science skeptic, a creationist, or a UFO fan, you'll find his writing style petulant, demeaning, and insulting.
He scoffs at baffoons who believe scientific hogwash.

Sadly, his smug, arrogant attitude will do little to convince the people who need convincing.
Insulting the other political party or religion never converts anyone to your side.
It often does the opposite.

This book is perfect if you like to laugh at the unscientific things that people believe and enjoy someone who belittles them.

I went into Cosmic Bullshit with an open mind, but unfortunately, it didn’t work for me. While the premise seemed intriguing, the execution fell flat. The writing felt redundant, often repeating the same ideas without adding much depth. The author’s humor—heavy on sarcasm and tongue-in-cheek jokes—was overdone to the point of exhaustion. I wanted to give it a fair shot, but it just didn’t land for me.

The skeptic in me loved this book which debunks pseudoscience (looking at you, Astrology), “intelligent design,” UFOs, and more with actual science. And humor. It is a very fun audiobook to listen to, as the narrator does an excellent job bringing out the humorous comments and asides. I deducted 1/4 star for multiple penis jokes, but it is otherwise a very thoughtful and entertaining non-fiction book. Highly recommended.
My thanks to the author, publisher, producer, and #NetGalley for early access to the audiobook #CosmicBullsht for review purposes.

I’m not gonna lie, I’m deeply conflicted about this book. I both like and dislike it at the same time.

I really like the science of this book. When it’s focused on debunking pseudoscience and straight up lies about science it’s deeply interesting. That was my favorite part of the book by far. However in order to listen to the fascinating science bits of the book you (I to be more specific) had to struggle through some of the most deeply unfunny “jokes” I’ve read in a book in a while. I don’t know who told the author that he was hilarious but they lied to him.

I think I do recommend this for the science parts of this at least. If you’re willing to struggle bus your way through the “humor” to get to those parts that is. The various subjects are well researched and written about. And heck humor is subjective so even though I thought my eyes were gonna pop out of my head with how hard I rolled my eyes at some of the jokes, I acknowledge that some wrong people might find this funny.

This hilarious book debunks common myths in a fact-filled exploration of the real science refuting baseless beliefs. The book is smart and insightful, snarky and irreverent. I loved every minute of it. The audiobook narration was wonderful, matching the tone of the book.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

For full transparency, I listened to the audiobook for this and I feel like that influenced my thoughts in the book. Not in a bad way, not at all. I’m not sure if it was just the narrator, or the speed I listened to it at, but it just felt as if there was an underlying thread of mocking, like he was secretly laughing at me, and it made it all the more fun.

This book does not take itself seriously, and that is a good thing. It presents the topics in a fun way but that doesn’t subtract from the subject matter. It mocks horoscopes, makes up its on origin myths, and even manages to bring up the Great Emu War. (Any book that throws that in the mix has to be a great one, right?)

Actually, given the amount of cheeky comments thrown at Aussies in the book, maybe both the author and narrator are actually laughing at us. But the warning was given, and I will be steering clear of both unfortunate mullet and a southern cross tattoo, should I ever get the urge for it.
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“You are listening to a book. It has an author. He is an Aquarius. If that seems like relevant information to you, you have chosen the right book, because that fact is actually irrelevant bullshit. Worse, it’s Cosmic bullshit.”

Straight off the bat, I have to warn those who are easily offended, maybe this isn't for you. This entire book is a-beginners-guide-to-the-true-science-of-sociology lesson with that experienced, fed up professor who just can't help getting a few digs in at the current state of humanity.
All of which guarantee appreciative laughs from the right audience. I found it both entertaining and appropriately informative. No matter your understanding of cosmic threads/topics/professions, each subject is approached in a clear format with lots of modern references.
I thoroughly enjoyed the narrative and plan to pick up the predecessor to this book.


Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a copy of this book.
[Please note: I don't review with star ratings so I give each author and book 5 stars for the creativity, effort and energy alone that goes into writing and publishing each book. Stars are a commendation of art]

At first, I thought I'd mostly be getting a book that poked fun at horoscopes and other prophetic nonsense, but in reading Cosmic Bullsh*t, I got so much more!

This brilliant book beautifully weaves together history, science, and humor. Ferrie takes us all the way from origin myths of our planet and the universe around us to some of the potential ends that might be in store for us.

We learn a little bit about everything in space, from black holes to wormholes and aliens to asteroids. Plus everything in our own neck of the universal neighborhood on earth from viruses to volcanoes and nuclear warfare to artificial intelligence.

With plenty of references from Sheldon to Schwarzenegger and Jurassic Park to the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, I had an absolute blast learning about the possible end of days.

Ferrie also does a spectacular job of making difficult to understand topics easy to grasp. I've read enough books about the potential ends of our universe to know!

Cosmic Bullsh*t is a satire-heavy take on science that, while interesting, often feels more like an extended opinion piece. Ferrie’s strong personal views dominate the narrative, making it a bit much at times. However, Daniel Henning’s narration elevates the experience—so much so that I likely wouldn’t have finished this in print. If you enjoy science with a side of strong opinions, this might be for you. Otherwise, proceed with caution.

I was too lazy to study science in college and now I can't get enough of it. I love books that explain different topics, especially ones like this that are irreverent and hilarious. I'm always anxious, too -- the universe is so vast and everything is constantly changing, and Chris Ferrie is the kind of author who can put those existential fears in perspective.
Great job narrating, this was like a conversation, and it was fun. Thanks to NetGalley for letting me listen to this audiobook

Cosmic Bullsh*t: A Guide to the Galaxy's Worst Life Hacks by Chris Ferrie uses humor to explain the interaction of human beliefs and attempts to understand the universe with actual science and the probability of concepts of aliens, and space travel.

I was able to listen and read the book simultaneously and was able to easily transition between the two. Daniel Henning as narrator provided a great engaging pace, but I think missed it a little on the delivery of some of the more vulgar jokes and language.

Thank you, SOURCEBOOKS (non-fiction) | Sourcebooks for the opportunity to read the eARC & Tantor Audio for the opportunity to listen to the ALC. All opinions are my own.

Rating: 4 stars
Audio Release Date: Mar 18 2025
Print Pub Date: Mar 18 2025

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@sourcebooks
# CosmicBullsht
# ChrisFerrie
# Daniel Henning
#YarisBookNook
#netgalley

This is the kind of nonfiction book I love diving into. I love learning a about scientific thoughts , the cosmos, creation theory, and the like, and this book delivers each of those topics in a humorous way while still leaving a lingering chuckle behind.

Since this is nonfiction, there's no story for me to truly focus on beyond my own thoughts surrounding such topics as creation myths. My personal background is in literature with a focus on epic poetry, so my knowledge of myths and legends is fairly extensive. However, I loved his perspective on how and why most (if not all) of them are crap and why they don't make a great deal of sense, especially when thinking in scientific terms as well.

I'm a bit bummed aliens aren't coming, but I suppose that, too, makes a great deal of sense when put into a book such as this. Now, don't get me wrong, I am not swayed one way or the other in all honesty. He simply makes a decent argument for what he thinks or feels is the most logical outcome to him. I read a few other reviews that Ferrie is trying to convince the reader or argue in support of certain points in this book. But, I feel when I pick up a book like this, I am in for a humorous ride for what this person thinks and offers options of "what if" or the like so we start to think more for ourselves. we do not have to believe or disbelieve anything, and since he does not do any citing of sources, i do not feel as though he is writing a persuasive book but rather just informative and humorous.

I just found this book fun and informative. It wasn't too long winded and didn't seem to take itself too seriously. I think I may go out and find more from this writer to see what other chuckles I can get.